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Topic Review (Newest First)

11-29-2008 06:44 PM

brady5

Thank you so much everyone! All the posts have been very helpful to us.

10-19-2008 10:22 PM

joethecobbler

I sailed w/ my three year old (and three dogs) and it was a great experience for all of us. I don't think the typical situations that you experience w/ your children aboard are any different than what you encounter ashore. generally speaking. the extras ,however are un-measurable. we have been back ashore for 6 months noe and nary a day passes when she doesn't mention something related to the cruise and her unique perspective of those memories I hope to add to them and that they stay with her for a lifetime, I know they will for me.

10-19-2008 11:55 AM

rtwfamily

Inspiring

Thanks for you inspiring experience and your ideas. We plan on boatschooling our kids as well but we would be homeschooling them if we were land based anyway. After reading a few books about the downfall of americas education I could not dream of doing otherwise.(I highly recommend A Thomas Jefferson Education) Actually our shift in thinking about how to educate our children has largely influenced our decision to sail around the world.

10-19-2008 09:37 AM

kmclarke

we cruised down the east coast from NC last yeaR with our 2 boys , then 9and 10. Cumberland island was a nice spot that we enjoyed , but that was really about it . To be fair we were trying to get a move on because it was cold ( nov) We did not find anywhere in FL that was friendly to cruisers let alone families in fact there was a guy at a marina in FT pierce that was down right ignorant to us, and FT L the boating capital of the world was no better.

The Bahamas however was Fantastic , friendly and safe . Great swimming snorkeling Warderick wells park was very educational and has insperied our boys to look at the planet as a whole and gave them a first hand experience with conservation and preservation. I imagine the FL keys would be a very similar sort of experience and we may try that this year though our draft is a bit too deep. The oportunity to visit new areas was not wasted on our boys . They actually like to go to museums now! When the oportunities arise take educational tours , nature walks etc. it costs a little more but it is learning without school and who does'nt like that? Also make sure you have a way for them to get off the boat without you having to drive them , it provides a sense of responsibility and independance, as well it makes the mommy and daddy time better if you get my drift. Have a plan for discipline. There will be no you are grounded and stay in your room on a boat. One friend of ours , and we now use this as well would make their kids write an essay. You know "why I shoild not talk during the morning wx broadcast "stuff like that. We use pushups 100 if you leave the light in the head on. The point is not punishment but an oportunity to be busy while you think about what you should have done plus if the're angry when they start them they usually are'nt when their done. The worst part? Homeschooling. By Far.
Good luck.
Oh I almost forgot cruising with kids is great and those that have not done it have missed a really fun experience. Kids engage other kids as well as adults and oportunities appear that may not have without kids . Like the time two turtle tagging biologists saw our kids and invited them to go turtle tagging . One of our boys actually caught a 40 lb turtle by himself....priceless.
Kevin

10-16-2008 10:34 AM

djodenda

Last year, we spent the first week with the family in the San Juans.. Specifically, Hope Island, Rosario on Orcas Island, Friday Harbor, Sidney on Vancouver Island, Roche Harbor, and Fisherman's Bay on Lopez. The Admiral and the kids flew back on a Kenmore Air seaplane. I took an extra couple of days to work on the boat (there's a great chandlery at Fisherman's Bay) and sailed the boat back.

This year, the family part of the cruise was Hope Island, Rosario, Reid harbor on Stuart Island, Bedwell Harbor on South Pender Island, Telegraph Harbor, Sidney, West Beach on Orcas and to Bellingham for a crew change.

With the second crew, we went to Blind Bay on Shaw Island, Friday Harbor, Roche Harbor, Rosario, and Langley on Whidbey Island.

This reminds me that I haven't posted my trip report yet. I will do soon.

Sailhog, Can you tell me a little more about your boat?
Have you been happy with it or what would you like different?

Brady,
Sorry for the tardy response... I just saw your question.

Our boat is a 1980 Catalina 30 tall rig. It's perfect for our family (wife and two daughters, ages 9 and 7) for a few days. After that, it starts to feel a little tight. In any case, we sail up and down the coast of South Carolina and on the ICW, and I can't even begin to tell what a wonderful experience it has been. The boat is designed for what we use it for: coastal cruising, and we never use it for anything else. We've sailed in heavier weather on the ICW, but never out on the open Atlantic.

One thing to bear in mind when sailing with children is that you have to plan everything out, and then explain it to everyone. If you're going to come about, you need to tell the kids so that their stack of dominoes or Legos doesn't go flying across the cabin. Also, you need to make sure that you never have to much sail up. When I'm at the helm, I always keep the mainsheet in my hand in the event that I need to dump some air.

Good luck to you. Do whatever you need to do to get your boat. Pull the plug on a hopsitalized great uncle if you need to. Git 'er done...

10-15-2008 09:26 AM

brady5

Has anyone spent time sailing around Tampa FL area with their children? Can you share your experiences there?

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